← QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2

System requirements: platforms

A requirement stating the operating system, device type or environment (desktop, web, mobile, database software) that the solution must run on.

Part of: QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 8

Understanding System requirements: platforms in QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2

What it does: Android and iOS are mobile operating systems, so this line states the device type and the operating systems the solution must run on. Database software is one environment a solution can depend on, so naming the product and version is a platform requirement. A web solution runs in a browser, so students do not need to install it on each computer. A desktop solution is installed on a specific computer. Windows 11 is an operating system. Storing 10,000 records is a capacity requirement, not a platform one. RAM and processor belong to hardware requirements. A platform requirement would be: Platform: macOS desktop.

Common mistakes: Pseudocode assigns a value with <-, not =. The line should be platform <- "Desktop". A mobile platform requirement names a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. A Desktop PC contradicts the mobile platform. It should be device <- "Smartphone".

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 144–185) and word search (Modules 144–228).

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Learning
Duo
Which one is a platform requirement?
The app must run on Android and iOS phones.The app must load each page in under two seconds.
Matches
Platform: must be fast and easy to use
↓
This is a non-functional requirement about speed and usability. It does not name an operating system, device type or environment.
Applying
Meanings
Term
platform requirement
Meaning
A requirement stating the operating system, device type or environment (desktop, web, mobile, database software) that the solution must run on.
Practice
Platform requirements:
Testing
Gaps
Platform type:
Check Answer
Spots
1platform = "Desktop"
2os <- "Windows 11"

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Quick Questions

1. Which one is a platform requirement?
A. The app must run on Android and iOS phones. ✓
B. The app must load each page in under two seconds.
A platform requirement names the device type or operating system the solution runs on. Page load speed is a non-functional performance requirement.
2. True or false: A platform requirement states the operating system, device type or environment the solution must run on.
A. True ✓
B. False
That is the definition of a platform requirement. It sets where the solution will run.
3. A school wants students to open a timetable tool in any browser on any computer. Which platform is this?
A. Web ✓
B. Desktop
A web solution runs in a browser, so students do not need to install it on each computer. A desktop solution is installed on a specific computer.
4. A solution must be installed on Windows 11 and macOS laptops. Which platform type is this?
A. Mobile
B. Desktop ✓
Windows and macOS are desktop and laptop operating systems, so this is a desktop platform requirement.
5. Which one is an operating system platform requirement?
A. The program must store 10,000 records.
B. The program must run on Windows 11. ✓
Windows 11 is an operating system. Storing 10,000 records is a capacity requirement, not a platform one.

Match the Pairs

Platform: Windows 11 desktop → The solution must run as a desktop application on the Windows 11 operating system
Platform: web browser (Chrome, Safari, Edge) → The solution must run in a web browser, so users on any device with a supported browser can open it
A platform requirement that names the mobile operating systems the app must run on → Platform: mobile app for Android 13+ and iOS 16+
A platform requirement that names the database software the solution needs to run → Platform: MySQL 8.0 database server
Platform: must be fast and easy to use → This is a non-functional requirement about speed and usability. It does not name an operating system, device type or environment.
Platform: 8 GB RAM and a quad-core processor → This describes hardware specifications, not a platform. It names no operating system, device type or environment.

Key Term

platform requirement
A requirement stating the operating system, device type or environment (desktop, web, mobile, database software) that the solution must run on.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Requirement: runs in a web browser Platform type: web
Hint: Type the platform type for a solution that runs in a browser.
2. Requirement: runs on phones and tablets Platform type: mobile
Hint: Type the platform type for phones and tablets.
3. Requirement: installed on a laptop or PC Platform type: desktop
Hint: Type the platform type for a program installed on a laptop or PC.
4. Must run on Windows 11 and macOS Requirement type: operating system
Hint: Type the kind of platform requirement that names Windows and macOS (two words).
5. Stores data using MySQL or SQLite Platform type: database software
Hint: Type the kind of software that MySQL and SQLite are.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A platform = "Desktop"
B os <- "Windows 11"
C database <- "SQLite"
D print platform, os
Line A — Pseudocode assigns a value with <-, not =. The line should be platform <- "Desktop".
Question 2
A platform <- "Mobile"
B os <- "Android 14"
C device <- "Desktop PC"
D print platform, os, device
Line C — A mobile platform requirement names a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. A Desktop PC contradicts the mobile platform. It should be device <- "Smartphone".
Question 3
A platform <- "Web"
B if platform = "Web" then
C print "Needs Windows only"
D end if
Line C — A web solution runs in a browser, so it is not tied to one operating system. The line should say it needs a browser.
Question 4
A requirement <- "Platform"
B os <- "macOS 14"
C device <- "Laptop"
D output requirement, os, device
Line D — The pseudocode keyword for showing values is print, not output. The line should be print requirement, os, device.
Question 5
A database <- "Notepad"
B os <- "Linux server"
C print database, os
Line A — Notepad is a text editor, not database software. A database platform requirement names software such as MySQL or SQLite.

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